Saia Assists Wreaths Across America with Annual Mission
A look at Saia's participation during this year’s Wreaths Across America ceremonies as we remembered service members during the holidays who sacrificed so much on behalf of our country.
Saia LTL Freight participated in wreath-laying ceremonies held on Saturday, Dec. 16, National Wreaths Across America Day, at two national veterans’ cemeteries — Calverton National Cemetery and Long Island National Cemetery — both located in New York.
By placing wreaths on the graves of U.S. military veterans at more than 1,200 national cemeteries, including Arlington National Cemetery, the nonprofit strives each year to remember our fallen U.S. veterans, honor those who serve, and teach children about freedom.
For the past three years, Wreaths Across America has reached their goal of placing a wreath at every headstone in Arlington National Cemetery — 247,000 wreaths. This year, they worked to accomplish this same feat at the two cemeteries in New York with Saia being selected to assist with the ceremonies there.
Aside from this, Saia and its employees transported wreaths to cemeteries around the country and four team members, who were chosen via an essay contest, traveled to New York to support the efforts there. They included:
- GRA Dockworker Garrett Frelix
- GRL City Driver Demetrio Garza
- CLV Mechanic Mike Loucek
- DEN City Driver Sean Tindell
“I am elated that we were able to participate and proudly support the ceremonies held at both national veterans’ cemeteries – Calverton and Long Island,” said Saia Vice President of Human Resources Michelle Richard. “It was an honor for me, and other employees who were present, to represent Saia during this year’s ceremonies as we remembered service members during the holidays who sacrificed so much on behalf of our country.”
As a nonprofit organization that receives no government funding, Wreaths Across America continually recruits and works closely with thousands of volunteers who organize local ceremonies, raise funds to sponsor wreaths, and participate in events. Programs are paid for by individual wreath sponsors, corporate donors and volunteer truckers. Aside from the wreath-laying ceremonies, they coordinate veteran services and recognition through a variety of programs and provide schools with teaching aides for projects throughout the year.